Word Origin & History

Old English disc "plate, bowl, platter," from Latin discus "dish, platter, quoit," from Greek diskos "disk, platter" (see disk). A common West Germanic borrowing; Old High German borrowed the word as tisc "plate," but German tisch now means "table," in common with other later Romanic forms (e.g. Italian desco, French dais). Meaning "particular variety of food served" is first recorded mid-15c. Meaning "what one likes" is c.1900; that of "attractive woman" is 1920s. Meaning "concave reflector or antenna" attested from 1948.

Example Sentences for dishing

And it means popping the individual into a mould, and dishing him up as a dummy.

They were dishing up the dinner and putting the finishing-touches to the table.

“I was attending a sick friend,” said Benjamin, dishing up the chops.

In a trice Charboneau was back at the skillets, dishing up the dinner.

In dishing up, be very careful not to let the lobster crumble or break.

"Not a bad sort at heart," said Rayton, dishing the fried potatoes.

What do you think of our way of dishing up potatoes in Kirk Street?

Only, he imagines that he is dishing me, whereas it is I who am dishing him.

When dishing, add a few drops of lemon juice or pickled vinegar.

They were not allowed in the kitchen while the maids were dishing the dinner.